WAVA participated in a one-day workshop organized by the Advocacy Subcommittee of the National Immunization Financing Task Team (NIFT) on February 13, 2017, to develop advocacy strategies for the development of a sustainable immunization financing transition plan and to finalize a harmonized advocacy work plan for the year 2017.

Held at Top Galaxy Hotel in Kaduna State, the event brought together 25 participants from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), partner organizations including the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC), Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR), Save the Children Nigeria, civil society organizations and the media. Goodwill messages were delivered from partner organizations in addition to presentations on the main agenda. The presentations included the following:

Proposed 2017 Federal budget for immunization and justification for request by FMoH

Immunization Financing Outlook: a historical perspective by NPHCDA

National Health Financing Policy, GFF and other potential sources of immunization funding by CHR, and

Introduction of the SIF transition plan and need for an advocacy strategy by IVAC

The workshop signalled a strong collaborative front by partners in spurring actions towards ensuring continuous availability of vaccines and uninterrupted access to immunization services in the country.

At the end of the workshop, This communiqué was endorsed by the following institutions and organizations;

Federal Ministry of Health

National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA)

International Vaccine Access Centre (IVAC)

Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR)

Save the Children International

Women Advocates for Vaccine Access (WAVA)

Direct Consulting and Logistics (DCL)

African Youth Initiative on Population, Health and Development (AfrYPoD)